Golf club saver

ABSTRACT

A storage apparatus for storing a golf club comprising a spring-loaded inner tube positioned within an outer tube for holding golf clubs. In one variation, the inner tube comprises grippers or arm extensions for securing the golf club when the inner tube is pushed downward within the outer tube. A locking mechanism may be provided for maintaining the inner tube in the retracted position. In on variation, the apparatus is configured such that when a user presses the golf club downward the locking mechanism releases the inner tube and pushes the inner tube upward to a predefined position. In this variation, the golf club is maintained in the raised position until the user pushes the club downward and engages the locking mechanism to keep the inner tube in the retracted position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/602,224, entitled “GOLF CLUB SAVER” filed Jun. 23, 2003, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf is a popular sports enjoyed by many around the world. A typicalgolfer is armed with a collection of golf clubs for striking golf balls.It is common for a golfer to carry three to five woods, and nine or moreirons in a golf bag. On common problem for golfers is that after removalof one or more clubs from the golf bag to hit the golf ball, the golferforgets to place the clubs back into the bag. For example, when thegolfer is close to the green, he may remove the pitching wedge and theputter from the golf bag to strike the ball. After delivering the ballonto the green with the pitching wedge, the golfer would lay thepitching wedge on the ground and putt the ball into the hole. However,out of excitement of completing the shot the golfer may forget toretrieve his pitching wedge. Thus, a golf club holding apparatus thatcan indicate to the golfer that a golf club is absent form the golf bagis desirable.

Another common problem commonly experienced by most golfers is that theheads for the golf clubs tent to strike against each other when the golfbag carrying the clubs is moved. This problem is particular prominentwhen the bag is carried by the golfer as he walks. The bouncing motionin the gates of the golfer may lead to repeated contact between theheads of the golf clubs. It is desirable to have an apparatus forholding and/or protecting the heads of the golf clubs. An apparatus forholding the heads of the golf clubs or securing the position of theclubs relative to the golf bag may be particularly useful.

Yet another common problem in golfing is that sometimes it is difficultto identify the desired clubs within the group of 13 or more clubs.Since all the irons have similar shape and color, it is hard to quicklylocate the desired club. For most golfers, it is common to use clubs ofcertain sizes and configurations more regularly than others during agolf game. For example, a particular golfer might use the pitching wedgeand the seven-iron on a regular basis during a golf game, and nevertouch the four-iron. In this situation, it may be desirably to raise theheight of these two clubs within the golf bag so they can easily beidentified. An apparatus that allows the golfer to raise the height ofselective golf clubs in the bag and lower them at will, may providesignificant convince to the golfers.

Various devices have been devised for holding, separating and/orprotecting golf clubs. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,746,014 issued May 24, 1988 to Very; U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,884issued Sep. 24, 1991 to Flory; U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,823 issued Sep. 14,1999 to Flis; U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,692 issued Feb. 5, 2002 to Park; U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2002/0108873 published Aug. 15, 2002 by St. Jeor;U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2002/0132679 published Sep. 19, 2002 by Wilde etal.; Japan Pat. No. JP 09-302,577 issued May 25, 1999 to Nishimura etal.; each of which is incorporated here in by reference in its entirety.

An apparatus for storing individual golf clubs and capable of indicatingthe absence of the golf clubs is much desired. Preferably, the apparatusmay have build-in mechanisms for securing the position of the golf clubwithin the storage apparatus. The apparatus may also be capable ofraising the position of the golf club to draw attention to the golfclub. Furthermore, such apparatus may also include markers, coloring,numbers, or other indicia to indicate the absence of a particular golfclub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use with a golf club.The apparatus comprises of three parts: an outer tube, an inner sleeve,and a biasing element (e.g., spring, coil, helical compression element,etc.). The outer tube is a hollow tube. The outer tube may be open onboth ends or closed at one end. The inner sleeve is placed within theconfines of the outer tube. The inner sleeve and the outer tube may beconcentrically aligned. The inner sleeve is adapted to receive a golfclub therein. Although it is preferable that the inner sleeve is adaptedto receive one golf club, alternative variation of the design mayreceive two or more clubs. A biasing element is positioned between theouter tube and the inner sleeve. The biasing element is adapted fordisplacing the inner sleeve within the outer tube. In one variation, thebiasing element is placed on the interior bottom surface of the outertube, and in another variation, the biasing element is place between theinner circumferential surface of the outer tube and the outercircumferential surface of the inner sleeve. The upper end of the innersleeve may include a set of gripper elements or extend arms adapted tocontact a golf club when the inner sleeve is pushed in a downwarddirection. The gripper element may comprise of a clamp, a vice, afastener, a brace, a coupler, or other structures for trapping orholding a golf club. Although a tubular body is preferred, one skilledin the art would appreciate that the outer tube and the inner sleeve mayhave non-circular cross-sections (e.g., rectangular, pentagonal shape,octagonal shape, etc.). In addition, it is preferable, but notnecessary, that the inner Sleeve be concentrically aligned with theouter tube.

A latch or locking mechanism may be provided for securing the positionof the inner sleeve within the outer tube. In one variation, a latch isconfigured to hold the inner sleeve in place when the inner sleeve iswithdrawn into the outer tube and the biasing element is compressbetween the inner sleeve and the outer tube. A stop may be provided onthe inner surface of the outer tube and/or on the outer surface of thesleeve for controlling the position of the inner sleeve when it isdisplaced upward. The stop may be a series of projections extendingradially inwardly to the concentric axis of the outer tube, or a collar,formed by any known welding, molding, polymer injection or fittingprocess. A stop may be used to define the extended or up position of theinner sleeve. A stop may also be provided to define the retracted ordown position of the inner sleeve. Stops may also be used to positionthe biasing element between the inner sleeve and the outer tube. Portionof the outer surface of the inner sleeve may be in contact with theinner surface of the outer tube to facilitate alignment between theinner sleeve and the outer tube.

In one variation, the inner sleeve is spring loaded and retractable. Thebiasing element is biased so that the inner sleeve maintains itsextended or up position even when a golf club is placed within thesleeve. The upper portion of the inner sleeve may extend beyond theouter tube or stay inside the outer tube when the inner sleeve is in theextended position depending on design preference. As the inner sleeve ispushed down downward into the retracted position, a latch is engaged tohold the inner sleeve in the retracted position. In one variation thelatch is released by pushing the inner sleeve in a downward direction.This action releases the latch and allows the biasing element to pushthe inner sleeve and the club within the inner sleeve in an upwarddirection. Alternatively, a release mechanizing may be interconnectedwith the latch so that when the user push/pull on the release mechanismor actives the release mechanism, the latch would release the innersleeve and allow it to rise upwards.

In an alternative variation, the upper end of the inner sleeve includesa set of gripper elements adapted to contact a golf club when the innersleeve is pushed in a downward direction. As the inner sleeve is pushedinto the retracted position, a latch is engaged to hold the inner sleevein a stationary position with the gripper elements pushed toward acentral axis of the inner sleeve. To release the latch and the gripperelements, the inner sleeve may be pushed in a downward direction. Thisaction releases the hold of the latch and allows the biasing element topush both the inner sleeve and the golf club within the inner sleeve inthe upward direction. As the inner sleeve rises, the gripper elementsexpand radially to allow for retrieval of the club from the sleeve. Inone example, the gripper elements are designed trap the club head whenthe inner sleeve is retracted. In another example, the gripper elementsare designed to trap the shaft of the golf club when the inner sleeve isretracted. In yet another example, the gripper elements traps both thehead and the shaft of the golf club when the inner sleeve is retracted.It may also be possible to place the gripper elements within the innersleeve, such that when the inner sleeve is pushed downward the gripperelements within the inner sleeve will trap the shaft of the golf club.

In another variation, the inner sleeve does not have extended gripperelements. Instead, the gripper elements are adapted at the upper portionof the outer tube. The gripper elements may be interlocked or associatedwith the inner sleeve, such that when the inner sleeve is pushed in adownward direction the gripper elements are displaced toward a centralaxis of the inner sleeve. A latch or locking mechanism may be providedto keep the inner sleeve at the retracted position.

In yet another variation, the arrangement of the outer tube, the innersleeve and the biasing element allows the inner sleeve to rise to theextended or up position once the weight of the golf club is removed.When a golf club is placed within the inner sleeve, the weight of thegolf club forces the inner sleeve to move downward toward the bottom ofthe outer tube. In one example, a compliant biasing element with areactive spring force (or a resilient restoration force) greater thanthe weight of the inner sleeve and less than the combined weight of theinner sleeve and the golf club is implement in the apparatus. Thus, whena golf club is placed inside the inner sleeve the combined weight of thegolf club and the inner sleeve will force the biasing element tocompress and resulting in the retraction of the inner sleeve. When thegolf club is removed, the biasing element expands and forces the innersleeve to rise to the extended or up position. When the inner sleeve isat the extended or up position, the upper portion of the inner sleevemay be exposed or it may stay within the outer tube depending on designpreference.

Gripper elements may also be provided either at the upper portion of theinner sleeve or within the inner sleeve, such that as the weight of theclub forces the inner sleeve to displaced downward due to the weight ofthe club, the gripper element will contract or collapse inward to trapthe golf club. When the user pulls the golf club upwards, the decreasein weight will allow the inner sleeve to rise and at the same timeforces the gripper elements to expand outwards and release the golfclub. In one example, the inner sleeve is comprised of a short tubularportion with arms extending upward form the short tubular portion toform the gripper elements. The apparatus may be configured such that thelower tubular portion of the inner sleeve stays within the outer tubeall the time, regardless of whether the inner sleeve is in the retractedposition or the extended position. In one variation, the distal end ofthe gripper elements are exposed out side of the outer tube all thetime, regardless of whether the inner sleeve is in the retractedposition or the extended position. In another variation, the distal endof the gripper elements extended outside the outer tube when the innersleeve is in the extend position, and retracts within the outer tubewhen the inner sleeve is in the retracted position. The gripper elementsmay trap or compress against the club head or the shaft of the clubdepending on design preference.

Alternatively, the gripper element may be positioned at the upperportion of the outer tube. The gripper elements may be interlocked orassociated with the inner sleeve such that when the weight of the golfclub forces the inner sleeve to move downward towards the bottom of theouter tube, the gripper elements well contract toward the center axis ofthe outer tube. As the user pulls the golf club upwards, the decrease inweight allows the inner sleeve to rise and forces the gripper elementsto expand outwards away from the center axis of the outer tube.

A plurality of golf club storage apparatus may be placed in a containeror a golf bag to serve as an integrated storage unit for carryingmultiple golf clubs. A divider plate or a frame may be provided tosecure the position of the individual golf club storage apparatusrelative to each other. Alternatively, the golf club storage apparatusesmay be attached directly to the interior of the golf bag, or be attachedto a build-in frame within he golf bag. Marking, coloring, glow in thedark materials/paint or other indicia may be placed on the storageapparatuses to differentiate the individual golf club storage apparatuswithin a bag for storage of different clubs. For example, numbering orcoloring may be provided on the gripper, on the outer surface of theouter tube, or on the upper portion of the inner tube, to identify thestorage apparatus for storing a particular golf club. In anothervariation, fluorescent coloring, glow in the dark materials, a colorring or band may be placed on the gripper, the upper portion of theinner sleeve, or the inner tube, to assist the user in identifyingwhether the device is in a retracted state or extended state.Fluorescent coloring, markers or color bands may also be used to enhancethe gripper elements so that the user may easily distinguish theexpended gripper elements form the closed gripper elements thatsurrounds it.

These and other embodiments, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art whentaken with reference to the following description of the invention inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. The drawings are intended forillustrating some of the principles of the golf club saver and are notintended to limit the invention in any way. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe depicted principles in a clear manner.

FIG. 1A is a partially transparent view illustrating one variation of agolf club storage apparatus having a inner sleeve with extended armsforming the gripper elements. The inner sleeve is shown in the extendedor up position.

FIG. 1B illustrates the golf club storage apparatus shown in FIG. 1Awith a golf club placed inside the inner sleeve. The apparatus is shownwith the inner sleeve in the retracted or down position.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of one variation of a golf clubstorage apparatus having guides on the inner surface of the outer tubeto assist the bending of the gripper elements when the inner sleeve isretracted.

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of one variationof a golf club storage apparatus. The figure illustrates a latch and acorresponding locking mechanism for securing the inner sleeve when theinner sleeve is in the retracted position.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of another variation of a golf clubstorage apparatus. In this variation, the gripper elements, which arecomprised of separate parts, are connected to the distal end of theinner tube to form the inner sleeve.

FIG. 2B illustrates the golf club apparatus shown in FIG. 2A with itsinner sleeve in the retracted or down position.

FIG. 2C illustrates another variation of the golf club apparatus shownin FIG. 2A with an integrated locking mechanism for keeping the innersleeve in the retracted position.

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of a golf club apparatus illustratinganother design variation where groves and corresponding guides areimplemented to prevent rotation of the inner sleeve relative to theouter tube.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another variation of a golf clubapparatus, where a gripper element is integrated in the midsection ofthe inner sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of yet anther variation of a golf clubstorage apparatus where the gripper elements are implemented on theupper portion of the outer tube.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of another variation of a golf clubapparatus where the bias element is implemented between the innercircumferential surface of the outer tube and the outer circumferentialsurface of the inner sleeve.

FIG. 5B is a plan view of the golf club apparatus shown in FIG. 5A,illustrating the placement of indicia on the upper portion of the innersleeve.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing one approach for placing multiplegolf cub storage apparatuses inside a golf bag. In this variation, adivider plate is used to secure the golf club storage apparatuses withinthe golf bag.

FIG. 6B illustrates another variation of a multiple golf club storagesystem, where the individual golf club storage apparatuses are anchoredon a bracket. In this variation, the inner sleeves have gripper elementsfor securing the golf clubs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the present invention, it is to be understood that thestorage of golf clubs is used herein as an example application toillustrate the functionality of the different aspects of the inventiondisclosed herein. It will be understood that embodiments of the presentinvention may be applied in a variety of applications for organizing orstoring elongated tools or devices.

It will also be understood that variations of the present invention maybe applied in combination with various apparatus for carrying golfclubs, and it is not limited to the specific examples describe herein.

It must also be noted that, as used in this specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, the term “a spring” is intended to mean a single spring or aplurality of springs, “a gripper” is intended to mean one or moregrippers, or a combination there of.

One variation provides an inner sleeve 2 slidably disposed within anouter tube 4, as seen in FIG. 1A. The outer tube 4 is open at the topend 6 and close at the bottom end 8. The outer tube may 4 comprise ofmetal, metal alloys, plastic, or polymers such as polystyrene, acrylicpolymers, PVC, ABS, polycarbonate or other suitable polymeric materialsthat are well known to one skilled in the art. A spring 10 is positionedat the bottom of the outer tube 4 for displacing the inner sleeve 2. Theinner sleeve 2 comprises an inner tube 12 and arms extending form thetop portion of the inner tube forming the gripper elements 14. Thegripper elements 14 may comprise of separate parts that can be connectedto the inner tube. Alternatively, the gripper elements 14 and the innertube 12 may be formed of a signal piece of polymeric or metallicmaterial. For example, the inner sleeve 2 may be molded into thedesirable shape through plastic injection molding. A practitioner ofordinary skilled in the art would be able to select the appropriatepolymeric material and shaped the arm extensions to form the gripperelement such that when the sleeve is pushed down into the outer tube,the boundary formed by the wall of the outer tube will force the gripperelement to bend inward toward the central axis of the outer tube. Whenthe spring 10 expends and pushes the inner sleeve 2 upward, the distalend 16 of the gripper elements 14 will expend outward away from thecentral axis. Metal or metal alloyed may be embedded within the armextensions forming the gripper elements 14 to enhance their strength.

Padding (e.g., soft pile material, or polymeric material) may be placeon the inner surface of the gripper elements 14 to enhance the grippingaction or to protect the golf club from abrasions. The padding materialsmay be placed on the distal 16 or top end of the gripper elements 14 oralong the length of the ripper elements 14. Wedges, braces, brackets andother holders may be placed along the gripper elements to enhance thegrippers' ability to secure the golf club.

In one variation, the spring 10 supporting the inner sleeve has areactive spring force greater than the combined weight of the innersleeve 2 and the golf club. Preferably, the reactive spring force isjust slightly greater than the combined weight of an average golf cluband the inner sleeve 2, such that when the golf club is placed insidethe inner sleeve 2 the user can push the inner sleeve 2 downward withoutexerting excessive amounts of force. It is preferable that the reactivespring force is less than the combined weight of an average club plusthe weight of the inner sleeve 2 plus one kilogram of weight; it is morepreferable that the reactive force is less than the combined weight ofan average club plus the weight of the inner sleeve 2 plus five hundredgrams of weight; it is even preferable that the reactive spring force isless than the combined weight of an average club plus the weight of theinner sleeve 2 plus 300 grams of weight.

In this variation, when a club is place inside the inner sleeve 2, theinner sleeve will stay in its extended or up position. When the userexerts a force to push the golf club downward, the sleeve 2 is alsoforced downward into the outer tube 4 and the gripper element 14 willcollapse inward towards the golf club 18, as seen in FIG. 1B. A guide20, a contour or other structural features may be adapted inside theinner circumferential a surface of the outer tube 4 to assist the distalend of the gripper elements 14 to move inward toward the central axis ofthe outer tube as the inner sleeve 2 is pushed down into the outer tube4, as shown in FIG. 1C. In one variation, the distal ends of the gripperelements 14 form a container that surround the club head when the innersleeve is retracted. In another variation, the gripper elements 14 mayform a conical shape at the distal portion of the gripper elements 14when the inner sleeve 4 is in the extended position. When the innersleeve 4 is pushed downward, the cone at the distal portion of thegripper element may collapse and traps the head or the shaft of the golfclub 18. In yet another variation, coloring or markers are provided onthe gripper elements so they may be easily identified. For example, thegripper elements may be embedded, painted or coated with fluorescent orglow in the dark materials.

A latch or locking mechanism 22 may be provided to hold the inner sleevein the retracted position. An example of a locking mechanism 22 is shownin FIG. 1D. In this example, a push-and-release locking mechanism isprovided on the inner bottom surface 24 of the outer tube 4. The spring10 surrounds the locking mechanism 22. A corresponding latch 26 ispositioned at the outer bottom surface of the inner sleeve 2. When theinner sleeve 2 is pushed all the way down into the outer tube 4, thelatch 26 extends into the locking mechanism 22 and engages the lock. Asthe result, the expansion force of the spring 10 is countered-acted bythe engaged locking mechanism, and the inner sleeve 2 stays in theretracted position. When the user wants to retrieve the golf club, theuser simply pushes down on the golf club or the inner sleeve 2, and thedownward force is transferred to the locking mechanism. This transfer offorce will release the latch 26, thus allowing the inner sleeve to riseto the extended position. Other retractable mechanisms or lockingmechanisms well known to one skilled in the art may also be implementedfor securing the inner sleeve at the retracted position. For example,latching mechanisms commonly used in the retractable ballpoint pens mayalso be adapted in the present design to provide lock-and-release of theinner sleeve.

Although in this particular design the spring 10 is shown at the bottomof the outer tube 4, the spring may also be placed between the innersleeve and the outer tube. Other biasing mechanisms that are well knownto one skilled in the art may also be used to displace the inner sleeve2 inside the outer tube 4.

Alternatively, a spring 10 with less reactive spring force may also beused. In this variation, the spring 10 supporting the inner sleeve 2 hasa reactive spring force greater than the weight of the inner sleeve 2and less than the combined weight of the inner sleeve 2 and the golfclub. When a golf club is place inside the inner sleeve 2, the weight ofthe club is enough to force the inner sleeve 2 to retract downward, andas the consequence, the gripper element 14 will close and trap the golfclub. In this variation, a locking and/or latching mechanism isoptional. When the user wish to remove the golf club, the user simplypull the golf club upward and the inner sleeve 2 will rise and cause thegrippers 14 to release the golf club.

In an alternative design, the grippers 14 are comprised of separateparts that are connected to a inner tube 12 to form the inner sleeve 2.FIG. 2A illustrates one example of such a design. The inner sleeve 2 isshown in its extended or up position. The connection joints 28 where thegripper elements 16 are connected to the inner tube 12 may bespring-loaded such that the gripper elements 14 a tend to expand outwardaway from the central axis of the outer tube 4. When the inner sleeve 2is pushed downward, as shown in FIG. 2B, the wall of the outer tubeforces the gripper elements 14 a to close and move towards the centralaxis of the outer tube 4 to trap a golf club. The gripper element 14 amay be configured to trap the club head and/or the shaft of the golfclub.

In one variation the spring 10 has a weak bias such that when a golfclub is placed inside the inner sleeve the weight of the club will forcethe inner sleeve to slide downward and consequently forcing the gripperelements 14 a to close. In another variation, the spring 10 has a strongbias such that when a golf club is placed inside the inner sleeve theinner sleeve 2 will maintain its extended or up position. The user mayforce the inner sleeve 2 to retract by pushing down on the golf club. Alatch or locking mechanism may be provided to secure the inner sleeve inthe retracted position. When the user desires to use the golf club, hemay release the locking mechanism and the inner sleeve will popup andreleases the grippers. A push-and-release locking mechanism describedabove may also be implemented in this variation. Alternatively, a latch26 a may be built into the outer tube 4 for keeping the inner sleeve 2in the retracted position as seen in FIG. 2C. Grooves 32 on the innersurface of the outer tube 4 and corresponding guides 34 on the outersurface of the inner sleeve 2 may be provided to prevent the innersleeve 2 from rotating relative to the outer tube 4, as illustrated inFIG. 2D. Alternatively, the grooves may be placed on the inner sleeveand the guides positioned on the outer tube.

In variations where the gripper elements 14 and the inner tube 12 areformed of separate parts, the inner tube 12 may comprise of metal, metalalloys, plastic, or polymers such as polystyrene, acrylic polymers, PVC,ABS, polycarbonate or other suitable polymeric materials that are wellknown to one skilled in the art. The gripper element 14 may comprise ofmetal, metal alloys, plastic, or polymers such as polystyrene, acrylicpolymers, PVC, ABS, polycarbonate or other suitable polymeric materialsthat are well known to one skilled in the art. Metal or metal alloyedmay be embedded within the gripper elements 14 to enhance theirstrength. Padding 36 (e.g., soft pile material, polymeric materials,non-slip materials) may be place on the inner surface of the gripperelements to enhance the gripping action or to protect the golf club fromabrasions. The padding 36 may be attached to the gripper with variousadhesive or bonding materials (e.g., acrylic,cyanoacrylate/methacrylate, epoxy, heat activated adhesives, hot meltadhesives, hydrocolloid/hydrogel, moisture-cure adhesives, polyester,silicone, urethane, UV or light-cure adhesives, etc.) that are wellknown to one skilled in the art. Alternatively, a groove, duct or slotmay be provided on the gripper for securing the padding.

The length of the gripper element 14 may be varied by design, as oneskilled in the art would appreciate. In one variation, when the sleeve 2is in the retracted state, the distal end 16 of the gripper 14 extendsbeyond the top of the outer tube 4. In another variation, when thesleeve 2 is in the retracted state, the gripper 14 is drawn into theouter tube 4 and does not protrude from the outer tube 4.

In another variation, the gripper 14 is positioned on the midsection 38of the inner sleeve 2 and hidden from view inside the outer tube. In oneexample, as seen in FIG. 3, the gripper element 14 b comprises a conicalshaped surface that is flexible, and a soft pile material 40 is attachedto the inner surface of the cone for trapping the shaft of a golf club.The inner sleeve 2 is shown in an extended or up position in FIG. 3.When the inner sleeve 2 is pushed downward into the outer tube 4, theguide 42 or contour on the inner surface of the outer tube will forcethe conical shaped gripper to collapse inward and trapping the shaft ofthe golf club. In another variation, the gripper comprises a clamp fortrapping the shaft.

In another design variation, the gripper elements 14 extend from theupper portion of the “outer” tube 4. In one example, shown in FIG. 4,elongated structures are connected at the top end of the outer tube toform the gripper elements 14 c. Interlocking connectors 44 are builtinto the outer tube 4 so that movement of the inner sleeve 2 will resultin opening or closing of the gripper elements 14 c. When the innersleeve 2 is raised, the inner sleeve 2 pushes on the interlockingelements 44, which forces the gripper element 14 c to open and releasethe golf club. When the inner sleeve 2 is lowered, the inner sleeve 2pulls on the interlocking elements 44, which forces the gripper element14 c to close and traps the golf clubs inside the inner sleeve 2. Thegripper elements 14 c may be configured to trap the club head, the shaftor both parts of the golf club. The gripper elements 14 c may beconfigured such that there is room for the user to access and grab thegolf club even when the gripper elements 14 c are closed. The apparatusmay be configured with a biasing element 10 so that the inner sleevewould retract when a golf club is place inside the inner sleeve 2.Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured with a stronger biasingelement 10 so that the inner sleeve 2 would maintain in its extended orup position when a golf club is placed inside the inner sleeve 2. Theuser would have to push down on the golf club to force the inner sleeve2 to retract and move downward. A locking mechanism 22 and/or latchesmay be provided to secure the inner sleeve 2 at the retracted or downposition at the user's discretion. The apparatus may be configured sothat when the inner sleeve 2 is in the extended or up position the topportion of the inner sleeve 2 will extend beyond the top end of theouter tube. Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured so that whenthe inner sleeve 2 is in the extended or up position the top portion ofthe inner sleeve 2 will not extend beyond the top end of the outer tube4.

In another design variation, the gripper element is configured as ahousing that covers the head of the golf club. When the inner sleeve israised, the housing may rise or open to provide access to the golf club.The housing may be interlocked with the outer tube, the inner sleeve orboth.

In yet another design variation, the golf club storage apparatus isconfigured without the gripper elements. In one example, illustrated inFIG. 5A, the inner sleeve 2 is shown in its extended position. A spring10 with a reactive spring force greater than the combined weight of thegolf club and the inner sleeve is implemented between the innercircumferential wall of the outer tube 4 and the outer circumferentialwall of the inner sleeve 2. Stoppers 46 are positioned on the innersleeve and outer tube to allow the inner sleeve 2 and the outer tube 4to inter act with the spring 10. A locking mechanism 22 located at thebottom of the outer tube can interlock with a corresponding latch 26that is connected to the bottom of the inner tube. An acrylic pile 48may be place on the inside of the inner sleeve 2 near the top opening toprotect the shaft of the golf club. An optional indicia 50 may be placedon the outer circumferential surface of the inner sleeve 2 to provideinformation that may be useful to the user, as illustrated in FIG. 5B.Indicia 50 such as lettering, numbering, markers, logos, borders,coloring, fluorescent coloring/materials, glow in the darkcoloring/materials, and the like may be impressed, formed, painted ortaped on the outer surface of the inner sleeve 2. Indicia 50 may also bemolded onto the surface of the inner sleeve during the manufacturingprocess.

Although in this example, the spring 10 is shown at the upper portion ofthe apparatus, the spring 10 may also be placed anywhere along thelength of the inner sleeve 2, or at the bottom of the outer sleeve 4.Various locking mechanisms 22 that are well known to one skilled in theart may also be implemented for locking the inner sleeve at theretracted position. The locking mechanism 22 may be implemented at thebottom of the outer tube as shown in FIG. 5A. Alternatively, the lockingmechanism may also be implemented along the length of the outer tube 4.

A plurality of golf club storage apparatus may be incorporated with astorage container or a golf bag for storage and transport of multiplegolf clubs. A divider plate 52 or frame may be implemented to secure theindividual apparatus. FIG. 6A illustrates one variation where multiplegolf club storage apparatus 54 are positioned inside a golf bag 56, anda divider plate 52 is implemented to secure their positions within thegolf bag. In another variation, a bracket 58, as seen in FIG. 6B,anchors multiple golf club storage apparatuses 54 that have integratedgripper elements 14.

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification areherein incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each individualpublication or patent application were specifically and individually putforth in the text.

This invention has been described and specific examples of the inventionhave been portrayed. While the invention has been described in terms ofparticular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to thevariations or figures described. Additionally, to the extent there arevariations of the invention, which are within the spirit of thedisclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is myintent that this patent will cover those variations as well.

1. A golf club storage apparatus comprising: an elongated tube having atop end and a bottom end; a sleeve adapted for holding a golf club,wherein said sleeve is slidably positioned within said elongated tube; abiasing element position between said elongated tube and said sleevewherein said biasing element is adapted to bias the position of saidsleeve relative to said elongated tube; and a latch adapted to securesaid sleeve inside said elongated tube when said biasing element iscompressed.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The golf club storage apparatus of claim 1wherein said biasing element is a spring.
 4. The golf club storageapparatus of claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises an inner tube and agripper connected to said inner tube.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The golf clubstorage apparatus of claim 4 wherein a length of said inner tube is lessthan three forth of a length of said elongated tube.
 7. The golf clubstorage apparatus of claim 4 wherein said gripper comprises a pluralityof arms extending from said inner tube.
 8. The golf club storageapparatus of claim 4 wherein said biasing element has a resilientrestoration force that is greater than a weight of said sleeve, and lessthan the combined weight of said sleeve and a golf club.
 9. (canceled)10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. The golf club storage apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: a gripper adapted to secure said golf clubwhen said sleeve is push downward into said elongated tube, wherein saidgripper is integrated within a midsection of said sleeve.
 13. The golfclub storage apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a padding attachedto an inner surface of said sleeve.
 14. The golf club storage apparatusof claim 13 wherein said padding comprises a polymeric pile. 15.(canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)20. (canceled)
 21. A protective device for storing a golf clubcomprising: a first elongated tube adapted for storing a golf club; asecond elongated tube having an inner diameter greater than the outerdiameter of said first tube, wherein said first elongated tube isslidably positioned within said second elongated tube; a gripper adaptedto hold said golf club, wherein said gripper is connected to said firstelongated tube; and a spring positioned between said first and secondtube, where in said spring is adapted to bias the position of said firstelongated tube within said second elongated tube.
 22. The protectivedevice of claim 21 further comprising: a locking mechanism adapted tosecure said first elongated tube within said second elongated tube whensaid spring is compressed.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The protective device ofclaim 21 wherein said resilient spring having a reactive spring forcegreater than a weight of said first elongated tube and less than thecombined weight of a average golf club and said first elongated tube.25. The protective device of claim 21 wherein said spring is positionedbetween an outer bottom surface of said first elongated tube and aninner bottom surface of said second elongated tube.
 26. (canceled) 27.(canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. (canceled)
 31. (canceled)32. A protective device for storing a golf club comprising: a firstelongated tube adapted for storing a golf club; a second elongated tubehaving an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said firsttube, wherein said first elongated tube is slidably positioned withinsaid second elongated tube; a spring positioned between said first andsecond tube, where in said spring is adapted to bias the position ofsaid first elongated tube within said second elongated tube; and agripper adapted to hold said golf club when said spring is compressed,wherein said gripper is integrated within a midsection of said firstelongated tube.
 33. (canceled)
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled)
 36. Theprotective device of claim 32 wherein said spring having a reactivespring force greater than a weight of said first elongated tube and lessthan the combined weight of a average golf club and said first elongatedtube.
 37. A golf club storage system comprising: a golf bag; a pluralityof elongated tubes positioned within said golf bag, wherein each of saidplurality of elongated tubes further comprising (a) an inner tubeslidably positioned within each of said elongated tube, (b) a gripperconnected to each of said inner tube, and (c) a spring positionedbetween each of said elongated tubes and its corresponding inner tube.38. A golf club storage system of claim 37 further comprising: a dividerplate adapted to secure said plurality of elongated tubes within saidgolf bag.
 39. (canceled)
 40. The protective device of claim 37 whereineach of said plurality of springs having a reactive spring force greaterthan a weight of said inner tube and less than a combined weight of agolf club and said inner tube.
 41. The golf club storage apparatus ofclaim 8 further comprising: an indicia located on the sleeve.
 42. Thegolf club storage apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: an indicialocated on the gripper.
 43. The golf club storage apparatus of claim 4wherein said gripper is configured to compress against the golf clubwhen the inner tube is displaced in a downward direction and saidgripper is also configured to release the golf club when the inner tubeis displaced in an upward direction.
 44. The golf club storage apparatusof claim 7 wherein said gripper being configured to secure the golf clubwithin said inner tube.
 45. The golf club storage apparatus of claim 4wherein said gripper being configured to expand radially away from acentral axis of said inner tube when said inner tube is displaced in anupward direction relative to said elongated tube, and said gripper beingconfigured to contract towards the central axis of said inner tube whensaid inner tube is displaced in a downward direction relative to saidelongated tube.
 46. The golf club storage apparatus of claim 4 whereinsaid gripper being configured to capture the golf club and prevent thegolf club from sliding out of said inner tub.
 47. The golf club storageapparatus of claim 4 wherein said gripper being adapted to capture aclub head of said golf club.
 48. The golf club storage apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein said gripper being configured to compress inwardly whensaid sleeve is pushed downward into said elongated tube, and saidgripper being configured to expand outwardly when said sleeve isreleased and rises upwardly relative to said elongated tube.
 49. Theprotective device of claim 21 wherein said gripper being adapted tocapture a club head of said golf club.
 50. The protective device ofclaim 32 wherein said gripper being adapted to capture a club head ofsaid golf club.